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The Coveted Arnold Endorsement?

Hollywood star, former senator, and would-be president Fred Thompson campaigned in California Tuesday, where he proudly announced the endorsement of the state’s most important Republican.

No, not Arnold. State Sen. Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks.

Gov. Schwarzenegger might have the celebrity, the top job, and the better overall approval ratings, but when it comes to the party faithful who will be casting votes in the February primary, McClintock carries much more influence. Unlike Arnold, he’s seen as a solid conservative, one whose values and priorities are more in line with the average California Republican. Tellingly, Thompson claims he hasn’t even sought an endorsement from Schwarzenegger, but he did lobby to get one from McClintock — Schwarzenegger’s toughest critic, left or right. Thompson’s Sacramento campaign stop also featured various other top GOP legislators who have fought to thwart the efforts of both Schwarzenegger and legislative Democrats these last few months.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger has yet to endorse anyone, although John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani have all reportedly sought his support. Giuliani would be a natural choice, being a fellow hands-on, flamboyant executive with liberal leanings. But it’s not certain that Schwarzenegger’s support would actually help him.

Although still in first place nationally and across the state, the former New York mayor has seen his numbers gradually shrink over the last few months. In California and elsewhere, it seems, the more Republicans get to know Giuliani, the less they like him. Among the party faithful, the endorsement of a less than reliably conservative politician like Arnold could possibly do more harm than good.

Apparently that’s how Thompson sees it, anyway.

As for Arnold, he might just decide the best way to help his fellow Republicans in 2008 is to hold his endorsement until after the primaries.